Electro Magnetic  Interference  (EMI)  

NO

NO

Tooling

Low cost with fast turnaround

Moderate cost with good turnaround

Cost per square inch of active area

$.25 to $.80 + light source

$2.00 to $4.50

Life

Fiber optic panel is functionally passive; standard light  sources' typical ranges are 1 K to 40K hrs. (see "Ease of  Maintenance")

20K to 100K hours Heat reduces  life

Ease of maintenance

Simple; Replace light source only

Difficult; Replace entire unit. (Generally not  practical)

Power source 

User selects light source Typically 2.5 to 14 volts AC or DC  (no inverters needed)

DC only.  Not inverter required

Durability

Excellent; Very rugged

Excellent

Power consumption

Low to high. Choose from LED, vacuum, gas filled, and  halogen

High

Moisture effect

None

Minimal

Shelf life degradation

NO

NO

Heat generation

None at panel. Heat at remote light source

Moderate

Color

Wide Variety

Limited to LED colors

Temp. Operating:

-50†C to +85†C**

-55†C to +100†C*

Storage

-50†C to +85†C

-55†C to +100†C